Illumination



Oct. 17, 1933.

W. COOK ET AL ILLUMINATION Filed Sept. l5, 1952 /4//7//4/77 @ook 7770/3/ 6I ew/Ls.

Gum/MMA Gili Patented Oct. 17, 1933 i l l 1,343`

PATENT,foFFICE-l ILLUMINA'rroN v william 060k, vNew- Yrk, .and Emory Brooklyn, N. Y.`

Lewis,

' .Y Application september`13, 193 v seriarNo. 632,966

4 claims. (ci. l24o-73) This invention relates to illumination and the improvements are directed to a combination electric outlet, Wire housing box combined with a shade and lens to form a unitary electric fixture.' v As willpresently appear it is proposed to provide a unitary structure 'of the above-mentioned character Vwhich is adapted tof be 'positioned between the `floor and ceiling of a room, or the like, said fixture having only a portionof its lens projecting beyond the horizontal plane of sai'd'ceiling to preclude the effect of obtrusiveness and the usual repetition of cleaning operations attending the accumulation of dust by the use of the conventional xtures of the chandelier and other types. 1 One of the important objects of the invention resides in the combination of an outlet box and shade, wherein the cover plate of said box is` adaptedV vto support a receptacle supporting the usual electric light bulb and wherein said cover plate is associated with said box in "a manner to permit its removal and subsequent access to the wiring in .said box.

Another object is to provide means whereby a transparent'medium in the form Vof a lens, or the like, may be quickly attached to and removed'from the shade of the device without the exercise of more than ordinary skill.

Still another object is to provide an arrangementfwhereby lsaid lens may be removed and other substitutions madetherefor, thereby creating a multitude of decorative and coloring effects. f Y

A still further object of `the invention is to provide a shade portion having a circumferential flange adapted'to overhang and protect the edges of an opening formed in the ceiling to receive'said shade. ,j

Still another object is to lprovide an article, of the above-mentioned character which is sturdy in construction, inexpensive in manufacture and whose cost of maintenance is reduced to a minimum. Y

With these objects yin view, together Vvwith others which will `appear as the description proceeds, the invention-resides inthe novel formation, combination, and arrangement of parts, all as -will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing and particularly pointed out in the claims.

1 Insaid drawingz'U c Figure 1 is a 'central vertical sectional view of the article, partly in elevation, and showing its installation between the. floor and ceiling of a room.

Fig,2 is/alsectional view, slightly enlarged and rtaken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the socket of the lamp bulb being removed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional line taken on the line 3 3 of vFigjli` showing the resilient "neeper members inserted in certain `slots in the len`s.`v Fig.` 4 is a fragmentary sectional view-'taken on the lines 4`4 of either Figs. 1 and 2 to show the cover' plate beneath oneV of theindentations in the 'outlet` boxu, `1 o' c Referring now more in detailto the accompanying drawing,y whereinlike characters of reference denote similar parts throughout the several views, let 5 indicate generally the shade or reflector portion of the varticle which is substantially semi-hemispherical `in shape, thematerial adjacent the open end thereof being'pressed out to define an'annularA vertical flange 6 and ledge 7, the peripheral edge of v'said flange 6 being bent outwardlyito present-a circumferential 'flange 8, as clearlyshown in Fig. l. The inner portion of saidshade 5 is formed to present an outlet box 9, oneside thereof being suitably aperture'd, `'as indicated at n10 for the reception of a conduit 11, containing wires 12 having their ends suitably fastened to thel usual terminals in a socket 13. j Upon inspection of Fig. 1 it will bel noted that said socket 13 is supported 'by Va plate 14 whichV also serves as a support for said socket 13, the latter carrying the usual electric bulb 15 depending toward the open end-of said shade 5. From the foregoing it will be seen that the outlet box andY shade or reflector, are combined to form a unitary electricfixture; and in the present'em-` bodiment` of the invention it is proposed to position said fixture between the floor A-and ceiling B said-floor and ceiling being arranged in spacedl relationin view of theconventio'nal use ofV elements in the form Aof `joists C, and thus a suitable space isprovided whereby said unitary fixture is* arranged substantially within said space with the circumferential flange '8 extendingV beyond the 'sides Vof the opening B' inv said ceiling Bf-thereby serving -as aguard for "the edge of the plaster surrounding said opening B and preventing breakagealong the rim of said opening. In theA present embodiment-'of the inventionfth'e fixture is held in positionby `means offastening elementsv l-passing through the topyof the outlet box 9'ai'id passing intoV said loorA; Y' 5 j The 'cover of said outlet box 9, which has been designated by the numeralli, is positioned at the basal portion of said box 9, and as heretofore Apointed out said cover "serves as supporting meansrfor the socket 13, said cover 'plate `14 being provided with an opening 16, (see Fig 2), to receive 'said socket 113. Said cover 14 `is removably mounted inrelation to said box, thusY assuring quicker installation and repairs in the event'nthe wires, 124.require renewal or vattenv tion'. The means for 'maintaining said lcover 14 in the position indicated in Fig. 1 comprises a pluralty of indentations arranged in the sides of said box 9 and a reslient keeper member 17, normally having the bent portion 17a. engaging an edge of the notch 18 cut into said cover 14, as shown in Fig. 2. The particular arrangement of identations positions said cover so that.

the same is held in the location indicated in Fig. 1, whereby its upward or downward displacement is prevented by the cooperation between said indentations and the resilient keeper member 17. In Fig. 1 it will be observed that that portion of the side wall, of box 9, adjacent the opening or aperture 10, is provided with a pair of indentations 19 and 20, arranged one -above the other, while single indentations '214 and 22 are formed inthe side wall of said box 9, said indentations rbeing preferably disposed in the relation shown in Fig. 2, wherein it will l be observed that said indentations 19, 21 and 22 cated.. I

The transparent medium or lens 23 is also re movably supported by said fixture, said lens being dish-.like in congurationand presenting Ya peripheral side wall 24, the latter` being provided with slots 25 arranged at suitable intervals along said wall, for the reception of the nose portions 26 of the resilient element 27 secured to said shade 5, as indicated at 28. Upon inspection of Fig. 1 it will be noted that the inner face 26a of said nose portion 26 is provided vwith a proper Icurvature so that the said lens 23 may be pushed-up within the flange 6, said resilient elements 27 iiexing toward the center of the Y shade 5 until they snap into slots 25, as shown. When it is desired to remove said lens 23 it is only necessary to oscillate the vsame either to the left or right, whereupon the curved faces 26a of said nose portions 26 encounter the rounded portions 29 of said slots 25, thus flexing said resilient elements 27 and permitting the removal of said lens. In view of this arrangement the use of screws, hinged rings, catches, or the like, to hold the lens in position, is obviated. Upon inspection of Fig. 1, it will be noted that said lens 23 projects below the ceiling vB so that dark or dusky ceilings, so prevalent Ywhen conventional recessed fixtures are used, is avoided.

It is also obvious that the maintenance expense of the fixture is reduced to a minimum, and that its positioning between a floor and ceiling precludes the collection. of dust and obviates the constant cleaning necessary in pendantly dis'- posed fixtures of conventional ,type.`

It will be appreciated that the convenient ref movability of the glass or lens 23 permits the use of other media in the form Yof colored'glass, or the .,like, to create an unlimited amount of coloring and other decorative eiects. This interchangeability feature permits v the use of lenses bearing any desired indicia or legends, thereby permitting the use of the ixture as a directional electric sign. As pointed out hereinbeforethe positioning of the Iixture between a of the ceiling and since the lens itself ,may closely resemble said ceiling in coloring effects, its presence becomes somewhat unobtrusive.

While the present is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as various changes in the minor details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Y l

We claim: v y

1. A device .of thecharacter described comprising a shade, an outlet box positioned in the upperv portion thereof and integral therewith, said box havingits side walls provided lwith a plurality of indentations,l acover plate adapted to support asource of illumination, a resilient element cooperating with said plate and said indentations to removablyA position said plate in said box and a lens removably carried in the open end of said shade. l l

2. .A deviceV of the` character described comprising a shade, an outlet box positioned in the upper portion thereof and integral therewith, said box having its side walls provided with ya plurality of indentations, a plate adapted to support a source of illumination, a resilient element cooperating with said plate and said` indentations toremovablyposition said plate in said box,.a lens mounted inthe open end of said shade' and resilient keeper means for removably securing said lens to said shade.

3. A device of the character Ydescribed adapt ed to support a source of illumination, a resilient member normally engaged in said notchand cooperating with said indentations to position said plate over said box, a lens' projecting below said ceiling and having a plurality of slots and resilient keeper means adapted to be engaged in said slots to maintain said lens in position.

Y 4. A device of the character described adapted to be positioned between the floor and ceiling of a room, said device comprising a shade having its lower portion expanded to present a vertical rim portion and a ledge, a circumferential ange extending'at right angles from said Vertical rim, an outlet box formedintegral with the upper portion of said shade, a cover plate for saidl Ving nose portions adapted to be inserted in the slots of said side walls to maintain said lens in a projected position below the ceiling.

WILLIAM COOK. EMoRY s. LEWIS. 

